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Monthly Archives: May 2017

If you think you know Jupiter, think again! The first science results are in from NASA’s Juno spacecraft, currently in orbit around our solar system’s largest planet. Incredible new cloud features, magnificent aurorae with a connection to Io, and a stronger than expected magnetic field with anomalies are just the start of these spectacular new […]

Here is your guide to the sky for May 22 to 28, 2017 – a week with a bounty of celestial sights… Sun – Earth – Moon Sunrise this week is 4:57 am and sunset at 8:08 pm and we are only about a month away from the Summer Solstice, but what about twilight? Astronomers, […]

Spring is often crowned by numerous flowers, and there is a crown in the evening sky as well – Corona Borealis. Comet Johnson has become visible in binoculars while Mars is sinking and the next two weeks are your last chance before we lose the planet in the glare of sunset. Here is your guide […]

Spring weather here in Maine – Ah, mud-season! The weather lately has been challenging for stargazers, but eventually we will see clear skies again. Spring also is the season for Hyrda – The Watersnake who had multiple heads. If one was cut off, two would grow back in its place! Here is your guide to […]

Shawn Laatsch

Shawn Laatsch is the director of the Emera Astronomy Center and Jordan Planetarium at the University of Maine. He started his astronomy education career in 1984 and has directed planetariums in university and science center facilities, taught undergraduate astronomy courses, and given numerous lectures around the globe. He serves as President (2017 & 2018) of the International Planetarium Society, Inc. the world’s largest organization of planetarium professionals. Shawn has a passion for sharing astronomy and stargazing with people of all ages.